What is a strike?
A strike is a planned stoppage of work by union members. During a strike, members withdraw their labour and do not carry out any work.
Strike action increases pressure on the employer and advances the Union’s position in an ongoing dispute.
What does striking involve?
Striking involves:
- Not attending at work
- Not working from home
- Not accessing work systems
- Not answering work emails, phone calls or messages
- Not undertaking work duties of any kind.
I work remotely. What should I do?
On strike days, you should not carry out any work, including working remotely.
All members who can travel to work should attend their designated pickets on October 14th and 21st.
When will I be on strike?
Two strike days are currently planned:
- Wednesday, 14th October 2026
- Wednesday, 21st October 2026.
Each strike will be a 24-hour work stoppage. Public service unions involved in the dispute are planning strikes on the same days to maximise their impact.
Will I be penalised for going on strike?
SIPTU members who take authorised strike action are supported by the Union. Non-members are not entitled to this support.
Members taking part in authorised strike action should follow the instructions issued by SIPTU and their local representatives.
Contingency Arrangements
Contingency plans will be put in place to safeguard the public during the strike. This is normal practice where essential emergency cover is necessary to protect life and public safety.
For example, in the fire service, arrangements will be made to ensure that limited emergency services continue. Specific arrangements for each location will be agreed locally between the strike committee and management.
Picketing
What do I do on a strike day?
Your local SIPTU Organiser or Workplace Representative will provide details of your picket location and arrangements.
On a strike day, report to the SIPTU picket designated for your workplace.
A full list of locations will be on the SIPTU website.
What is a picket?
When members are on strike, they come together at their workplace to picket. Picketing raises public awareness of the dispute and demonstrates the strength of members taking strike action.
When should I go to the picket?
Picket arrangements will be organised locally.
Your local SIPTU Organiser/Workplace Representative or picket coordinator will tell you when you are expected to attend.
Picket rosters may be used so members can attend in shifts and ensure there is a suitable number of members at the picket throughout the agreed period.
How do I know where I should go to picket?
Picket locations are determined locally. Your SIPTU Organiser/Workplace Representative will tell you where your picket will be located.
This will normally be outside your own workplace or another workplace location where your employer operates.
What are the guidelines for the picket?
You will receive specific guidance from your SIPTU Representative or picket coordinator.
General guidelines:
- The picket must remain peaceful
- The purpose of the picket is to communicate information
- Access to the premises being picketed should not be obstructed
- Vehicles should not be blocked or surrounded
- Members of the public should be treated respectfully
- Unrelated businesses should not be targeted
- Members should remain at the agreed picket location
- Members should not enter the employer’s premises unless authorised
- Any difficulty on the picket should be referred to the Shop Steward or designated SIPTU official.
How will I know whether I am rostered on the picket and for what times?
Your local SIPTU Organiser/Workplace Representative will issue the picket roster.
Contact your local representative if you are unsure of your arrangements.
On the picket line
What do I need for the picket?
- Appropriate clothing, including comfortable shoes and layers
- Weather-appropriate clothing, including a waterproof jacket if needed
- Water and refreshments
- SIPTU flags, placards and other union materials, where available.
If I am on sick leave, should I attend the picket line?
If you are unfit for work, you should not attend the workplace or picket. Do not attend a picket if doing so would be contrary to medical advice or put your health at risk.
I am returning from sick leave, and my doctor has advised me to work from home. What should I do on a strike day?
You are taking strike action, so you should not work, including from home. Follow your medical advice and do not attend the picket if doing so would be contrary to that advice or put your health at risk. You can support the strike from home.
Tell your local SIPTU Representative so that your circumstances can be taken into account when the picket roster is organised.
I am pregnant. What health and safety arrangements will be in place on the picket line?
Speak to your local SIPTU Representative.
There may be other ways you can support the picket without standing for a long period. Do not put your health at risk.
I have caring responsibilities that affect when I can be present. Will this be taken into account?
Speak to your local SIPTU Representative as early as possible.
Your local team will make arrangements for the picket and take individual circumstances into account where possible.
What am I doing outside my rostered picket hours? If my building is open until 9 pm, does the strike run that long?
The strike is a 24-hour work stoppage.
You should not work at any point during the strike, regardless of the opening hours of your workplace.
Your picket will operate according to the local arrangements agreed for your workplace.
You can also support your colleagues and the wider campaign outside your rostered picket hours. Speak to your local SIPTU Representative to find out what support is needed.
Can I drive into the staff car park and walk back out to the picket line?
This will depend on the local arrangements at your workplace.
Check with your local SIPTU Representative before the strike day.
Pay
Will I lose pay on a strike day?
It depends on whether you are asked to provide emergency cover as part of the strike.
Should you be required to provide essential cover as part of the action, then SIPTU will be insisting that you should be paid for each hour worked on the day.
Where you are normally rostered on the strike day but are not required to work due to the strike, then you will not receive payment for the day.
Because less pay is subject to tax and other deductions in that pay cycle, the reduction in your take-home pay may be less than the gross amount of one day’s pay.
Does SIPTU pay strike pay?
SIPTU provides Dispute Benefit to eligible members taking part in authorised strike action. Dispute Benefit is payable from the first day of an authorised dispute, subject to the rules governing eligibility and payment.
Members should comply with SIPTU’s instructions, including arrangements relating to picketing, to remain eligible for Dispute Benefit.
If you have questions about your eligibility or payment, contact your SIPTU Organiser.
A further communication will be issued to members outlining how you apply for strike pay after the dispute.
Can I take a strike day as annual leave to avoid losing pay?
If annual leave was approved before the strike was called, you should discuss your circumstances with your local SIPTU Representative.
You should provide details of when the annual leave was approved and any travel or other arrangements that were booked before notice of the strike was issued.
Members with questions about their individual circumstances should contact their local representative before the strike day. As a SIPTU member, you are expected to follow the union’s instructions during authorised industrial action.